Refuse collection system

ABSTRACT

A refuse collection system includes a container shaped and dimensioned to permit a plastic trash bag to be, without the use of tools or fasteners, placed securely in the container such that the mouth of the bag forms an orthogonal opening and will slip loose when the bag is full.

[0001] This invention relates to containers.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a refuse container which facilitates the collection, storage, transport, and removal of refuse.

[0003] Containers have long been used to collect and remove refuse. Many refuse containers are used cooperatively with a plastic bag which is placed in the container and is removed when the container is filled.

[0004] One problem encountered during the use of plastic bags in refuse containers is that the mouth of the bag tends to be drawn inside the container and, subsequently, to be buried under refuse which is placed in the container.

[0005] Another problem encountered during the use of plastic bags in a refuse container is that the sides of the bag stick to the inner faces or sides of the container, creating frictional and suction forces which interfere with removal of the bag and can result in tears or other damage to the bag when the user attempts to pull the bag from the container.

[0006] A further problem encountered during the use of plastic bags is that the bag is not supported by the bottom of the refuse container, causing a rent in the bottom of the bag which allows reuse to spill onto the bottom of the container.

[0007] Still another problem encountered during the use of plastic bags is that the bags do not prevent odors from escaping and from permeating the refuse container, which container is often constructed from porous plastic.

[0008] Yet another problem encountered during the use of plastic bags is that when the refuse container is picked up by its upper edge to move the refuse to a different location, the user's fingers often cause the edge of the plastic bag to slip free of the upper edge and slide inside the refuse container.

[0009] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved refuse container and method for using the same.

[0010] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved refuse container and method of using the same.

[0011] These, and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refuse container constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view illustrating a side panel of the refuse container of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front elevation view illustrating the back panel of the refuse container of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view illustrating the front panel of the refuse container of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the top panel of the refuse container of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the bottom panel of the refuse container of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view illustrating components mountable in an aperture in the side panel in order to facilitate pivoting of the top panel; and,

[0019]FIG. 8 is a top section view of the refuse container of FIG. 1 taken along section line 8-8 and illustrating the mode of operation thereof.

[0020] Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved refuse collection system comprising, in combination, a plastic bag with a top edge in a tensioned orthogonal configuration; and, a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first side, a second side spaced a distance apart from the first side; at least a first fixed contact surface formed in the first side, and at least a second fixe contact surface formed in the second side. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces and spans the distance between the sides. The contact surfaces are shaped and dimensioned and the distance between the sides is selected to produce the tensioned orthogonal configuration.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved refuse collection system comprising, in combination, a plastic bag with a top edge and at least one side; and, a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first side, a second side spaced a distance apart from the first side, at least a first fixed contact surface formed in the first side, at least a second fixed contact surface formed in the second side, a front, and a back. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces and spans the distance between the sides. The contact surfaces are shaped and dimensioned such that there is a space between the bag and at least one of a the group comprising the front, the back, and the sides. The space prevents the bag from contacting the container to produce suctional forces which interfere with removal of the bag from the container.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide, in combination, a plastic bag with a top edge and a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first panel shaped side, a second panel shaped side spaced a distance apart from the first side, at least a first fixed contact surface formed in and extending through the first side, and, at least a second fixed contact surface formed in and extending through the second side. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces and spans the distance between the sides.

[0023] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide, in combination, a plastic bag with a top edge and a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first side, a second side spaced a distance apart from the first side, at least a first fixed contact surface opening formed in and extending through the first side, and at least a second fixed contact surface opening formed in and extending through the second side. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces and spans the distance between the sides. The contact surfaces are shaped and dimensioned to function as handles when a user extends his fingers through the contact surface openings.

[0024] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, I provide, in combination, a plastic bag with a top edge, and a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first side, a second side spaced a distance apart from the first side, at least a first fixed contact surface formed in the first side, at least a second fixed contact surface formed in the second side, and, a lid pivotally mounted in the sides above the contact surfaces. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces, spans the distance between the sides, and is spaced apart from the lid.

[0025] In yet still another embodiment of the invention, I provide, In combination, an empty plastic bag with a top edge and a refuse container. The refuse container includes a first panel shaped side, a second panel shaped side spaced a distance apart from the first side, at least a first fixed contact surface formed in the first side, at least a second fixed contact surface formed in the second side, and a bottom. The top edge of the plastic bag is mounted on the contact surfaces and spans the distance between the sides.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide a refuse container including front, back, side, bottom, and top panels collectively circumscribing and defining an inner space for collecting refuse. Each of the panels includes an inner surface adjacent the inner space. Each of the inner surfaces is sealed to retard the absorption by the panels of odors produced by refuse placed in the inner space.

[0027] Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a refuse container constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and including a front panel 15, side panels 13 and 14, back panel 12, bottom panel 16, and lid panel 11 pivotally mounted in sides 13 and 14. As will be seen, the panels 11 to 16 interfit and are assembled without tools to produce a free standing refuse container which will receive and support a plastic refuse bag such that the mouth or upper edge of the bag takes on a tensioned orthogonal configuration, or any other desired tensioned configuration.

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates side panel 14. The shape and dimension of panel 14 is equivalent to that of side 13. Panel 14 includes feet 73 and 74, apertures 68 to 72, 75 formed therethrough, front edge 76, and upper edges 61 and 62. An opening 67 is also formed through panel 14. Semicircular groove 66 permits a user to extend his fingers through opening 67 to use opening 67 as a handle. Convex arcuate contact surfaces 64, 65 are shaped to engage the edge of a conventional plastic trash bag. Apertures 68 and 70 receive interlocking arms 22 and 23, respectively, of back panel 12. Apertures 69 and 71 receive interlocking arms 30 and 31 of front panel 15. Aperture 72 slidably receives tongue 51 of bottom panel 16. As will be described, the distance D1 from contact surface 64 to contact surface 65 is critical in the practice of the invention, as is distance D2 from contact surfaces 64 and 65 to upper surface 50 of bottom panel 16.

[0029]FIG. 3 illustrates back panel 12. Panel 12 includes outwardly extending arms 22 to 25, apertures or openings 21 and 26 formed therethrough, upper edge 20, inner surface 27 and outer surface 28 (FIG. 8). Aperture 26 slidably receives tongue 52 of bottom panel 16 (FIG. 6). Aperture 21 is used as a handle.

[0030]FIG. 4 illustrates front panel 15. Panel 15 includes outwardly extending arms 30 to 33, outer surface 35 (FIG. 8), inner surface 34, and upper edge 36.

[0031]FIG. 5 illustrates lid panel 11. Panel 11 includes front edge 43, upper or outer surface 42, and wings 40 and 41 which are pivotally mounted in apertures 75 of sides 13 and 14, respectively.

[0032]FIG. 6 illustrates bottom panel 16. Panel 16 includes front edge 54 which in FIG. 1 is not visible but is adjacent inner surface 34 of front panel 15. Panel 16 also includes upper surface 50 and outwardly extending depending tongues 51 to 53. Tongue 51 is slidably received by aperture 72 in panel 13; tongue 52 is slidably received by aperture 26 in back panel 12; and, tongue 53 is slidably received by aperture 72 of side panel 14.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates a pivot system which can be installed in an aperture 75 to facilitate the pivotal opening and closing of lid panel 11. The system includes a sleeve 80. The cylindrical nose of sleeve 80 is pushed into aperture 75 such that outer cylindrical surface 81 frictionally engages (or is glued or otherwise secured to) cylindrical surface 84 of aperture 75. Ring 85 is then mounted in sleeve 80 to slidably contact inner cylindrical surface 83. Rectangular slot 87 in ring 85 slidably receives a wing 40 or 41. When lid panel 11 is lifted upwardly in the direction of arrow A, wing 40, 41 rotates ring 85. Ring 85 rotates against and slides over surface 83 such that wing 40, 41 pivots in aperture 75. Bosses or any other desired means can be utilize to maintain ring 85 in its desired position on surface 83.

[0034] In FIG. 8, the distance D3 between side panels 13 and 14 is illustrated, along with the distance D4 between the front 15 and back 12 panels. These distances are also critical in the practice of the invention.

[0035] Conventional waste basket sized white plastic trash bags are currently used in the practice of the invention although, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the refuse container of the invention can be configured and sized to be utilized with a trash bag of any desired size or material. When the mouth or upper edge of a plastic trash bag is pulled over the four contact surfaces 64, 65 (two contact surfaces in each side panel 13 and 14), the upper edge 90 or mouth (FIG. 8) of the bag is tensioned and pulled relatively taut in an orthogonal configuration like that shown in FIG. 8. If the side panels 13, 14 are too close together, then the mouth of the plastic bag is slack, and not tensioned. If the distance D3 between the side panels 13, 14 is too great, then it is not be possible to mount the bag over contact surfaces 64, 65 without tearing the bag. Similarly, if the distance D1 between contact surfaces 64 and 65 is too small, the mouth of the plastic bag is slack, and not tensioned, when the mouth is mounted on contact surface 64 and 65. If the distance D! is too great, then it is not possible to mount the bag over contact surface 64, 65 without tearing the mouth of the bag.

[0036] In addition, contact surface 64 and 65 preferably have an convex arcuate configuration like that shown in FIG. 2 so that when the upper edge of a bag is pulled down over the surfaces 64 and 65, the upper edge is securely “hooked” on surface 64 and 65 and can not be readily pulled off the contact surfaces. Surfaces 64 and 65 can be provided with adhesive, can be serrated, and can be otherwise configured to securely hold the edge of a bag in place. However, the smooth arcuate configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 is presently preferred in the invention. As can be appreciated, if the distances D1 and D3 are not collectively taken into consideration with the shape and dimension of contact surface 64 and 65, the mouth of a plastic bag can not be mounted in the tensioned orthogonal configuration preferred in the practice of the invention. Once this is realized, appropriate dimensions D1 and D3 can be determined by calculation or trial and error without requiring extensive experimentation.

[0037] The distance D2 of surface 50 from contact surfaces 65 and 64 is also critical in the practice of the invention. The distance D2 must, after the edge of a plastic bag is downwardly pulled over contact surfaces 64 and 65, permit the bottom of the bag to contact surface 50 so that the bag has support and generally will not be pulled off surfaces 64 and 65 when the bag is filled with refuse.

[0038] The distance D4 is another critical dimension in the practice of the invention. Distance D4 is preferably greater than distance D1 and permits a space 91, 92 to be formed between the refuse bag and the inner surfaces 27 and 34 even when the bag is completely filled with refuse. Since the inner surface 27 and 34 typically are smooth, if the refuse bag is pressed against this surfaces, as well as surfaces 60 and 61, a suction can develop beneath the refuse bag and can act to prevent the bag from being readily pulled up and out of the refuse container. The refuse container of the invention, by providing at least one air channel which extends from the elevation of upper edge 36 down beneath the plastic bag, prevents such suction from forming.

[0039] It is often preferred to fabricate from particle board or other porous cellulose products the panels 11 to 16. Such panels tend to absorb odors. It is important in the practice of the invention that the inner surface of each panel (i.e., the surface immediately adjacent a plastic trash bag put in refuse container 10) be sealed, preferably with a layer of aluminum foil or other material which is generally impermeable to odors and moisture.

[0040] In use, panels 11 to 16 are provided and are interfit in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Each arm pair 22-23, 24-25, 30-31, 32-33 on the back and front panels 12,15 is pushed through its pair of receiving slot 68-70, 69-71, as the case may be, in side panels 13,14 and the front or back panel 15 or 12, as the case may be, is pressed downwardly so each arm 22-25 and 30-33 interlocks with its receiving slots in conventional fashion. While each arm 22-25 and 30-33 is interfit with its receiving slot in this fashion, bottom panel 16 is positioned so that each tongue 51 to 53 slides into its earlier define receiving slot in back panel 12 or slide panel 13, 14. Similarly, lid panel 11 is position such that the wings 40 and 41 slide into apertures 75 formed in sides 13 and 14.

[0041] After the refuse container 10 is assembled, the lid is opened pivotally in the direction of arrow A. The mouth 90 of a plastic bag is pulled and tensioned over contact surfaces 64, 65 to the position indicated in FIG. 8. The large majority of plastic trash bags consist of plastic that is one to three mils thick and which will stretch at least to a limited degree before tearing. When mouth 90 is placed over surfaces 64, 65 it is preferred that the mouth 90 must be at least slightly stretched to facilitate the tensioning of the mouth 90.

[0042] Lid panel 11 is sized such that lip 43 extends outwardly a short distance past edge 36 of front panel 15. This enables a user the readily position his or her fingertips a short distance under lip 43 when lip panel 11 is being raised or lowered.

[0043] As noted, when the container 10 is assembly, tongue 52 is slidably received by aperture 26 in back panel 12. This permits opening 21 to be grasped and lifted upwardly without causing panel 12 to be pulled free of the container.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, aperture 75 is positioned a distance W from the left edge 100 of panel 14 so that when lid panel 11 is opened and leaned against the top of panel 12, the angle Y between panel 11 and the vertical preferably is in the range of five degrees to fifteen degrees. If the angle Y between panel 11 and the vertical is greater than fifteen degrees, the lower edge 11A of panel 11 can interfere with the withdrawal of a trash bag from the interior of container 10. 

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice it and having described the presently preferred embodiments thereof, I claim:
 1. In combination, (a) a plastic bag with a top edge in a tensioned orthogonal configuration; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first side, (Ii) a second side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface formed in said first side; (iv) at least a second fixe contact surface formed in said second side; said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces and spanning said distance, said contact surfaces being shaped and dimensioned and said distance being selected produce said tensioned orthogonal configuration.
 2. In combination, (a) a plastic bag with a top edge and at least one side; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first side, (ii) a second side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface formed in said first side; (iv) at least a second fixe contact surface formed in said second side, (v) a front, and (vi) a back said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces and spanning said distance, said contact surfaces being shaped and dimensioned such that there is a space between said bag and at least one of a the group comprising said front, said back, and said sides, said space preventing said bag from contacting said container to produce suctional forces which interfere with removal of said bag from said container.
 3. In combination, (a) a plastic bag with a top edge; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first panel shaped side, (Ii) a second panel shaped side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface formed in and extending through said first side; (iv) at least a second fixed contact surface formed in and extending through said second side; said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces and spanning said distance.
 4. In combination, (a) a plastic bag with a top edge; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first side, (Ii) a second side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface opening formed in and extending through said first side; (iv) at least a second fixed contact surface opening formed in and extending through said second side; said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces and spanning said distance, said contact surface openings being shaped and dimensioned to function as handles when a user extends his fingers through said contact surfaces.
 5. In combination, (a) a plastic bag with a top edge; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first side, (Ii) a second side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface formed in said first side; (iv) at least a second fixe contact surface formed in said second side; (v) a lid pivotally mounted in said sides above said contact surfaces, said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces, spanning said distance, and spaced apart from said lid.
 6. In combination, (a) an empty plastic bag with a top edge; and (b) a refuse container including (I) a first panel shaped side, (Ii) a second panel shaped side spaced a distance apart from said first side; (iii) at least a first fixed contact surface formed in said first side; (iv) at least a second fixed contact surface formed in said second side, (v) a bottom; said top edge of said plastic bag being mounted on said contact surfaces and spanning said distance,
 7. A refuse container including front, back, sides, bottom, and top panels collectively circumscribing and defining an inner space for collecting refuse, each of said panels including an inner surface adjacent said inner space, each of said inner surfaces being sealed to retard the absorption by said panels of odors produced by refuse placed in said inner space. 